Rigid frameworks for use in constructiong racks, cabinets, boxes or like structures



Aug. 11, 1964 F. E HUMBLE 3,144,265

RIGID FRAMEWORKS FOR USE -IN CONSTRUCTING. RACKS CABINETS BOXES 0R LIKESTRUCTURES Filed Feb. 27, 1.961 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 11, 1964 F. E.HUMBLE 3,144,265 RIGID, FRAMEWORKS FOR USE' IN CONSTRUCTING RACKS ACABINETS BOXES 0R LIKE STRUCTURES Filed Feb. 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR FeAA/c/s EMA/A20 HUMBLE BY my ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,144,265 RIGID FRAMEWORKS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCT- ING RACKS, CABINETS,BOXES 0R LIKE STRUCTURES Francis Edward Humble, Ashendon Walk, FarnhamCommen, England, assignor to Alfred limhof Limited, London, Engiand, acompany of the United Kingdom Filed Feb. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 92,073Claims priority, application Great Britain Mar. 1, 1960 2 Claims. (Cl.287-54) This invention relates to rigid frameworks particularly for usein constructing racks, cabinets, boxes or similar structures.

The framework, to which this invention relates, is of the kindcomprising frame members each of which, at least at its ends, is ofhollow cross-section, and connector members each of which has two ormore arms extending in the direction of the respective frame members tobe connected thereby, the arms being adapted to enter into interlockingengagement with the ends of the respective frame members, the positiveinterengagernent of the assembled parts thereby preventing their lateralseparation.

In frameworks of this kind, it is normal practice to provide the arms ofthe connector member of the same cross-section as that of the framemembers. Such connector members are difficult and expensive tomanufacture and separate connector members are required for each type offrame member, which leads to the necessity of a manufacturer having tocarry large stocks of separate and different parts.

It is among the objects of the present invention to avoid thesedisadvantages and to provide a framework having connector members andco-operating frame members which are such that only the one design ofconnector member is required irrespective of the outward appearance ofthe frame members. This leads to a reduction in production costs andstorage space and provides a framework which can easily and quickly beconstructed by unskilled labour.

According to the present invention, there is provided a framework of thekind described, in which each frame member has an axially extendingslot, opposite sides of which slot are provided with right angled orsubstantially right angled machined faces, which extend only over a partof the cross-section of the hollow interior of the frame member, andeach arm of each connector member has two oppositely disposed angledfaces corresponding to and adapted to engage the machined faces of theframe member without engaging the remainder of the hollow interior ofthe frame member.

In a preferred construction the arms of the connector members are ofrectangular or substantially rectangular cross section.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of a typical skeleton frameworkto which the invention relates,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, from inside, showing a corner jointconstructed in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view, on a smaller scale, of the joint shownin FIGURE 2, from the outside,

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a three-armed connector showing oneform of locking means,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a three-armed connector showinganother form of locking means,

FIGURE 7 is a part section of the line 77 of FIG- URE 6.

Referring to the drawings FIGURE 1 shows a typical skeleton framework ofthe type to which the invention refers, the framework consisting ofvertical frame mem- 3,144,265 Patented Aug. 11, 1964 bers 30 andhorizontal frame members 31 which are interconnected by connectingmembers.

In FIGURE 1, three different types of connector members, indicated at A,B and C, are used.

Connector A consists of a three-armed member, two arms of which arearranged at to each other in the same plane and the third arm of whichis arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the other two arms.Connector B consists of a two-armed member, the two arms being arrangedat 90 to each other in the same plane. Connector C consists of afour-armed member in the form of a cross.

Thus, it will be seen that any skeleton framework can be made up withconnectors of the type referred to although it will be clear thatvariations of the connectors can be used to suit requirements.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 to 5 which show atypical corner joint, theframe members 30 and 3Il31, each comprise a hollow metal extrusion,which is basically substantially square in cross-section. One corner 32(as seen in section) of each frame member forms an outside corner edgeof the framework and the diagonally opposite corner, which is cut awayat 33, to provide an entrant slot, extends the whole length of themember, and forms an inside corner of the framework.

Each frame member is formed with two internal seats spaced diagonallyfrom each other on opposite sides of the slot 33, each seat comprisingtwo intersecting faces 34, 35 at right angles to one another.

The outer right-angled surfaces or walls 36 of the frame members areextended at 37 to form an inward offset, having a groove 38 to receivethe usual panelling which may consist of perforated or imperforatepanels, indicated in dot and dash lines at 39 in FIGURE 4. These panelsmay consist of sheet metal, plastic, glass, wood synthetic board or thelike, which serve to enclose the framework.

Alternatively, the groove 38 can be dispensed with and the panels 39secured in the offset by means of clamps, screws, rivets or the like.

The connector member A (FIGURE 4), which is a metal casting, has threearms 40, each being substantially square in cross-section, forengagement with the frame members 3%, 31 as shown in FIGURE 2. It willbe seen that the two diagonally opposite corners 41, 42 of each arm 4%)are formed as external seating portions, each comprising twointersecting faces at right angles to one another. Thus, when the partsare assembled, the seating portion faces engage the correspondingmachined faces 34, 35 on the frame members, but for the remainder of thesection there is no interengagement.

Thus, it will be understood that the arms 40 are only in directengagement with a small part of the hollow interior of the framemembers. More specifically, as shown in FIGURE 4, only those parts ofthe intersecting seating portion faces on the arm 40 immediatelyadjacent to the intersection of these faces engage the internal seat 34,35, the other parts of the intersecting seating portion faces on the arm40 being free from engagement with the frame members 31, 31. Thisreduces the amount of work i.e. machining and fitting required to ensureaccurate interlocking of the frame members with the connector.

The accuracy of the frame and connector members may be such that a rigidframework can be assembled without the use of further fastening means.However, additional means may be provided to lock the frame members inposition relative to the arms of the connector. In the constructionshown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, such locking means is provided by formingthe free ends of the arms 40 with an axial slot 43 into which aself-tapping screw 44 is secured. Tightening of the screw 44 causes theslot to open and thereby expand the end of the arm 4% so as to increasethe friction between the connector arm and its co-operating frame memberto cause locking therebetween.

As shown in FIGURE 3 the meeting ends of the frame members are mitred soas to provide an accurate joint.

A modified form of locking means is shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7, in whichthe arms 40 of the connector are tapered or of reduced cross-section asindicated at 45, the part 45 having a hole 46 to receive a self-tappingscrew 47. Locking between each arm 40 and its cooperating frame memberis elfected by tightening the screw 47 so that it bites into the framemember. As shown in FIGURE 7, the holes 46 are arranged at an anglepointing towards the point of connection of the frame members so thattightening of the screw tends to force the joining faces of the framemembers into engagement to provide accurate joining.

The frame members are preferably formed by extrusion but it will beunderstood that other methods such as drawing, rolling, fabricating orother means may be used. The connector members may be formed by castingor forging or any other convenient method.

Use of the connector members according to the invention enables framemembers having a large variety of cross-sectional shapes to be used, theonly requirement being that the frame members be formed with twoaccurately positioned machined faces for engagement with the arms of theconnector member.

The framework with or without panels can be used for a large number ofpurposes, for example, housings and enclosures for all types ofelectrical and other equipment, racks, shop fittings, furniture,partition walls and illuminated signs.

Although reference has been made to machined faces it will be understoodthat, in general, the connector members and the frame members caninitially be formed (e.g. when extruded) with sufficient accuracyWithout the necessity of subsequent machinery operations.

Furthermore, although the invention has been described with reference toa three-armed connector member of the type shown at A in FIGURE 1, itwill be understood that the principal requirements of the invention canbe applied to other forms of connector irrespective of the number or therelative angles of the arms.

What is claimed is:

l. A framework structure comprising frame members each having in crosssection a pair of inwardly extending spaced apart legs arrangedsubstantially normal to each other, each leg having an inwardly offsetshoulder which is joined to an outer angle shaped member, thearrangement providing a channel member having a longitudinal recessproviding an internal cavity extending the full length of said member,connector members each of which hm at least two arms arrangedperpendicular to one another, said arms being received within saidcavities in said frame members to provide positive interengagement ofsaid frame members with said connector members, locking means forlocking said frame members in position on said connector members,wherein each of said arms is bifurcated and is formed with twodiagonally opposite external seating portions disposed to either side ofthe slit of the bif urcation and each comprising two intersectingseating portion faces at right angles to one another, and wherein saidlegs and said shoulders of each of said frame members form twodiagonally opposite intersecting internal seating faces at right anglesto one another, said internal seating faces corresponding to andreceiving said external seating portions, the joining means between theshoulder and the outer angle member spacing the inner portion of saidconnector members from said outer angle member, and said intersectinginternal seating faces having less lateral extent than the correspondingexternal seating portions of said locking means, and means extendinginto the slit of each bifurcation to force said corresponding seatingfaces and seating portions into mutual engagement, the above parts beingso constructed and arranged that a clearance is provided between theinner seating portions and said outer angle member.

2. A framework structure according to claim 1 wherein said meansextending into the slit of each bifurcation comprises a screw threadedinto such slit and which, when tightened, is effective to expand the endof the associated connector member to increase the friction between saidconnector members and the associated frame members, said screws engagingsolely said arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,167,525 Rosendale July 25, 1939 2,371,493 Aschinger Mar. 13, 19452,904,360 Gamlen Sept. 15, 1959 2,996,159 Casebolt Aug. 15, 19613,008,741 MacConnack Nov. 14, 1961

1. A FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE COMPRISING FRAME MEMBERS EACH HAVING IN CROSSSECTION A PAIR OF INWARDLY EXTENDING SPACED APART LEGS ARRANGEDSUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO EACH OTHER, EACH LEG HAVING AN INWARDLY OFFSETSHOULDER WHICH IS JOINED TO AN OUTER ANGLE SHAPED MEMBER, THEARRANGEMENT PROVIDING A CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL RECESSPROVIDING AN INTERNAL CAVITY EXTENDING THE FULL LENGTH OF SAID MEMBER,CONNECTOR MEMBERS EACH OF WHICH HAS AT LEAST TWO ARMS ARRANGEDPERPENDICULAR TO ONE ANOTHER, SAID ARMS BEING RECEIVED WITHIN SAIDCAVITIES IN SAID FRAME MEMBERS TO PROVIDE POSITIVE INTERENGAGEMENT OFSAID FRAME MEMBERS WITH SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERS, LOCKING MEANS FORLOCKING SAID FRAME MEMBERS IN POSITION ON SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERS,WHEREIN EACH OF SAID ARMS IS BIFURCATED AND IS FORMED WITH TWODIAGONALLY OPPOSITE EXTERNAL SEATING PORTIONS DISPOSED TO EITHER SIDE OFTHE SLIT OF THE BIFURCATION AND EACH COMPRISING TWO INTERSECTING SEATINGPORTION FACES AT RIGHT ANGLES TO ONE ANOTHER, AND WHEREIN SAID LEGS ANDSAID SHOULDERS OF EACH OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS FORM TWO DIAGONALLYOPPOSITE INTERSECTING INTERNAL SEATING FACES AT RIGHT ANGLES TO ONEANOTHER, SAID INTERNAL SEATING FACES CORRESPONDING TO AND RECEIVING SAIDEXTERNAL SEATING